A few weeks ago, we announced you the signature of the first crew of drivers for the Aston Martin DBR9 #9: Jean-Denis Delétraz and Frédéric Makowiecki. Today, we announce you the signature of a third driver, this time for the DBR9 #10: the Monegasque Clivio Piccione. Here is a reminder of his record, followed by an interview of this new recruit.
Career highlights
Born February 24th, 1984 in Monaco
2008/2009 : A1 GP with Team Monaco (1 podium finish, 1 pole position)
2008 : EuroSeries 3000 (1 podium finish)
2007 : World Series by Renault FR3.5 (2 podium finishes, 1 pole position)
2006 : GP2 Series (2 podium finishes)
2005 : GP2 Series (1 race win)
2004 : British Formula 3 (4th, 2 race wins, 2 pole positions), 2nd F3 Euro Cup
2002 : British Formula 3 (2nd, 3 race wins, 4 pole positions)
2000 : Karting Formula A, World Championship runner-up
1999 : Karting Intercontinental A, 3rd European Championship
How did the signature with HEXIS AMR go?
I met Philippe Dumas (co-owner and team manager of HEXIS AMR) when we heard about the FIA GT1 World Championship a few months ago. We then had in mind to create a common structure to HEXIS AMR and Team Monaco (Clivio Piccione’s team). Unfortunately, Team Monaco couldn’t gather enough financial means to take part in this new championship, and our project fell through. Despite everything, I kept good relations with Philippe, and I showed my interest in joining HEXIS AMR’s structure. We kept in touch over the weeks…
You have only been driving single-seaters until now …
Yes I have, driving a GT is a first for me! This signature is a big shift and symbolizes a challenge to take up. But I’m serene and in good terms with HEXIS AMR: I trust them and they trust me. I had the chance to meet the whole team during a test day in Lédenon (circuit where HEXIS AMR are based), and I visited their structure. I also attended the Paul Ricard test days, where I could see HEXIS AMR’s GT1 run. Today, I’m really proud to be part of the team!
What kind of look do you have on this new FIA GT1 World Championship?
I think this championship has a bright future and that it will certainly become the GTs queen category in the upcoming years. And I count a lot on the success of HEXIS AMR!
Any closing words?
I thank all my partners, the vodka brand White Birch and the watchmaker Horus. And a big thank-you to HEXIS AMR for the trust they give me.
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2009, the year ends on a high note
Before revealing the HEXIS AMR 2010 programme, a quick flashback on 2009, which turned out to be packed full of suspense… For the first time, HEXIS AMR carried off the FIA GT3 European Champion title (“Teams” standing), while winning a second place in the “Drivers” standing. A wonderful reward for the team, who relentlessly worked throughout the season to win this championship!
2010, further, higher
If 2009 was a historic year for the team, 2010 risks to be as decisive. First of all, the stable lightens up a bit so as to better focus on the basic essentials: HEXIS Racing AMR becomes HEXIS AMR! In parallel, their sporting programme markedly gets thicker, as the team thirst for new challenges. Indeed, besides their fourth season in GT3 with the Aston Martin DBRS9s, this year, HEXIS AMR will take part in the first FIA GT1 World Championship, entering this time driving DBR9s. HEXIS AMR will be the sole French stable out of twelve teams to run this new championship: a particularly symbolic challenge for the southern France team!
At last, for the second year running, HEXIS AMR’s candidature to participate in Le Mans 24 hours has been denied by the ACO (Automobile Club de l’Ouest). Again, it is very hard for the team to understand this decision, as the whole staff is highly disappointed...
- Official announcement
Exclusively, HEXIS AMR are glad to announce a first crew of drivers for this new season. Thus, Jean-Denis Delétraz has just signed fort the DBR9 #9. This newcomer (but not least!) will be Frédéric Makowiecki’s team mate, the stable’s leading driver since 2007. Even though he started his career in 1982 (he ran in Formula 1), it is in 1996 that Jean-Denis Delétraz decided to only focus on endurance trials, of which he soon became one of the main characters with numerous wins and podiums in FIA GT championships, of which one on an Aston Martin GT1! Quick spotlight on his prestigious record:
- 9 wins in GT1
- 2007 : 1st of Spa 24 hours
- 2006 : FIA GT Vice Champion in Aston Martin DBR9
- 2002 : 1st of Le Mans 24 hours in LMP 675
- 2001 : 1st of Le Mans 24 hours in LMP 675
This association between HEXIS AMR and Delétraz is supported by the latter’s historic partner: ACM.ch (Advanced Currency Markets – www.currency.ch). This society, founded in 2002 and whose head office is based in Geneva, is today one of the world leaders in the online forex field.
Simultaneously, Manu Rodrigues and Fred Mako will form the first GT3 team at the wheel of the DBRS9 #1 one objective: winning the driver title. As a reminder, Manu Rodrigues was winner at Adria in 2009, and ranked 4th in the FIA GT3 European Championship the same year with Fred. Faithful to the stable, Manu Rodrigues thus continues in GT3 with his long-standing partners: RHBM holding and PRMCC, of which he is president. PRMCC (Projet Réalisation Montage Charpente Couverture) is a company based in Collégien (close to Paris) and specialised in roofing. To date, it employs about forty people and enjoys nearly 20 years’ experience.
The drivers’ name that will respectively race the GT1 #10 and GT3 #2 will be communicated very soon as well as the official announcement of the team’s “very busy” calendar.
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